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In this sparkling, heartwarming debut set at an iconic Vermont spa, massage therapist Joan Johnston struggles with grief. She's lost the love of her life early into their relationship and questions her path forward when she encounters a new client, the firebrand romance novelist Carmen Bronze. Can a quirky assignment from a demanding, eccentric author help Joan rewrite her life?

Massage therapist Joan Johnston can't seem to get her life back on track. She's wallowing in grief over the accidental death of her boyfriend, Samuel, and her Eeyore attitude is now seriously jeopardizing her job at Apex Inn & Spa, a Vermont institution, as well as her friendships. Then a new client, Carmen Bronze--famous for her bestselling romance novels as well as her crazy demands and flaming temper--offers Joan the chance to pay down her massage school debt and get back in her boss' good graces at work. All Joan needs to do is funnel Carmen insider dirt for her next book, which is set at a spa. Joan's not sure, but she's out of better options and takes the deal.

As the task unexpectedly reawakens a dormant talent in Joan, she's irresistibly drawn to writing her own romance novel--one based on her relationship with Samuel that stretches into the bright future they didn't get to share. Writing seems to be the therapy Joan so desperately needs, and her heart begins to open to unlikely friendships, workplace injustice, and even a new romance.

But it's not that easy, especially with the intensity of Carmen breathing down her neck. When Carmen discovers what Joan has been up to, she snatches Joan's hand-written manuscript and claims it as her own, leading Joan's new motley crew of friends to hatch an audacious (and hilarious) plan to get it back.

A heartfelt look at taking second chances in life and in love, Tady's uplifting debut will have readers rooting for Joan on every page--as well as laughing out loud at her one-of-a-kind wit.

Megan Tady is a writer and editor who runs the company Word-Lift. When she's not scrutinizing copy, she can be found stocking her free neighborhood library, challenging anyone to a dance-off, or stewing over how Portlandia stole all of her jokes. She's hard at work on her next novel, Champions for Breakfast, which will also be published by Zibby Books. She's a corn-fed Nebraska gal who now lives in a quaint New England town with her husband and two kids.

A respected authority on women’s empowerment, social impact, and sustainability, Alisha Fernandez Miranda serves as Chair and former CEO of I.G. Advisors, an award-winning social impact intelligence agency that consults with the world’s biggest non-profits, foundations, and corporations on their philanthropy and social initiatives. Her clients include The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Ford Foundation, and UN Women. At the beginning of 2020, Alisha paused her high-powered career to pursue a series of internships on Broadway, with contemporary art dealer Blain, fitness studio Retroglow, and in the kitchen of the Kinloch Lodge. Alisha is the daughter of a Cuban immigrant and hails from Miami.

She is co-author of 50 Years: Kinloch Lodge and her writing has been featured in Vogue, Business Insider, Romper, Huffington Post, among others. She’s a graduate of Harvard University and the London School of Economics. She currently lives in Scotland with her husband and twins.

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A Virtual Evening with Megan Tady & Alisha Fernandez Miranda